Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers have beaten the Milwaukee Bucks three times this season and yet, Giannis Antetokounmpo is still on their head.
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Dec 23, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
It’s not something malicious, actually. The Cavs star only wants to know how the Greek Freak’s mind works as a franchise player, as a leader, and as a champion.
Mitchell is the de facto leader of the Cavs. They currently hold the best record in the league and the five-time leader is not yet done.
He wants to grow and good thing for him, he has assistant coach DeMar Carroll to ask about growth given his experience with players who won almost everything in their professional basketball career.
Mitchell told The Athletic that asked his coach about Antetokounmpo and Lebron James for further reference.
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Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Eastern Conference forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks defends Western Conference forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter in the 73rd NBA All Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
“He’s steady,” Mitchell said of Carroll. “First thing I asked him, he was obviously around Giannis, around LeBron, two champions. So, for me, it was just like, ‘Hey, what did you see over there? What do you see from a leadership standpoint for myself? How are they able to take it to that level?’ You know, those were my first [questions].”
Carroll worked as an assists coach for the Bucks from 2022-2023 season, his first ever gig after retiring. He also coached James as an assistant during the 2023-2024 season before joining the Cavs this offseason.
Dec 29, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) go for a loose ball during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Cavs can be the biggest threats to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
The Boston Celtics have the highest odds to win the the title. They could go back-to-back.
However, nobody should overlook the Cavs and what they have been doing this season. They have beaten the best teams including the Celtics.
Nov 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) celebrates during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
They are playing like a well-oiled machine and it is different when nobody is pressuring you. Just like what happened to the Bucks in 2021.
As for Antetokounmpo and company, they are slowly getting there. The Cavs may have beaten them three times but they were not fully healthy yet during those games.
